With a Christmas Day that felt more like Easter, who knows what New Year’s Eve will bring our way.
If you want to get out and enjoy the night with friends, here is an alphabetical lineup of some of the events happening in Greater Mankato by venue.
Capitol Room, St. Peter
The Capitol Room will ring in the new year with A Night at The Moulin Rouge, a masquerade attire dance event beginning at 8 p.m. Sunday. Enjoy performances by Silver Summer Band and DJ Shoba, sending out 2023 or welcoming in 2024 with a midnight champagne toast. Enjoy small bites, sweet treats and cocktails. A complimentary shuttle will be available to and from the Wine Café in Mankato.
Tickets are $40, plus fees, and available at facebook.com/thecapitolroom
Chankaska Creek Ranch
Ring in the new year with Neon Live, featuring the music of Elton John, Queen, ABBA and more from the glam rock and disco era. Dress the part or come as you are.
Tickets are $40 and include a New Year’s toast and hors d’ouevres. The event starts at 8 p.m. with music beginning at 9 p.m. For more information or to purchase tickets, visit chankaskawines.com/events/
Children’s Museum of Southern Minnesota
Get an early start on the celebration with a 10 a.m.-1 p.m. event at Children’s Museum of Southern Minnesota. There will be art, play, a photo backdrop and the opportunity to send your 2024 wishes up the wind tunnel. Just before noon there will be a ball drop followed by a dance party.
For more information, facebook.com/events/263820783367564
Circle Inn
The Circle Inn in North Mankato will host New Year’s Eve Sunday Funday Bingo beginning at 1 p.m.
Kato Ballroom
The Kato Ballroom’s Rockabilly Dance Party will feature David K and Band playing favorite hits of the 1950s and ‘60s, including tributes to Roy Orbison, Buddy Holly and Jerry Lee Lewis. Also, music from Elvis, Johnny Cash, Chuck Berry and a special tribute to Tom Petty.
Dinner seating begins at 6:30 p.m. with the dance doors open at 8 p.m. Music 8:30-11:30 p.m. with a welcome of the new year at 11 p.m. Cost is $35 plus tax and fees until the day of the show, $40 plus tax and fees at the door, if available.
Tickets available online at square.link/u/GPpPvv4J, or call the Kato Ballroom at (507) 625-7553.
Kiwanis Holiday Lights
Enjoy one more drive or walk through southern Minnesota’s premier Christmas light display at Mankato’s Sibley Park. Hours are 5-9 p.m. Entrance is free, but cash or food donations benefit local nonprofits.
For more information, kiwanisholidaylights.com
The Lakes Sports Bar and Grill
Misguided Inc will highlight New Year’s Eve festivities at The Lakes in Lake Crystal, beginning at 8 p.m.
Loose Moose Saloon
Joe & Ann will bring in the new year at Loose Moose Saloon & Conference Center beginning at 9 p.m. In addition to music, there will be treats, culinary and otherwise.
Learn more at theloosemoosesaloon.com
Mankato Playhouse
Dinner and music begins at 6 p.m. During dinner from Sadaka’s Catering, Tyler Herwig will entertain. At 8 p.m., a Mankato Playhouse Past, Present, Future Cabaret show will include the announcement of the 2024-25 season, followed by a performance by Skitzo Fonik. An Earlybird Toast at 11 p.m. and Midnight Toast complete the evening.
Tickets are $50, with dinner an additional $40. Cash bar will be open all night.
To purchase tickets, mankatoplayhouse.com
Oleander Saloon
The Oleander will host a free 21+ event featuring Fat City All Stars beginning at 8:30 p.m. at 701 N. Riverfront Drive.
Picklebarn
Picklebarn of Mankato will host its second Pickleball Drop 5-8 p.m. at 90 Power Drive in Mankato. There will be open play, snacks, bubbly and a New Year’s countdown at 7:59 p.m.
Cost is $15 for members, $20 for non-members. Contact them at (507) 304-7173 or picklebarnmn@gmail.com for more information.
Schell’s Brewery
Brew Year’s Eve at Schell’s runs noon to 8 p.m. Sunday at the brewery in New Ulm. The family event includes face painting 1-3 p.m., a selfie station with NYE props 1-4 p.m., balloon drop countdown at 3 p.m., bubbly toasts with Buddy’s Soda and 1919 Root Beer, winter scavenger hunt, hot cocoa bar, antler toss and more.
Schell’s is at 1860 Schell Road in New Ulm. For more information, visit facebook.com/SchellsBeer
Thunder Bar
For a full night of fun, the Thunder Bar in Good Thunder is offering meals ranging from butterfly shrimp to ribeye steak from 5-8 p.m., followed by B&B Karaoke at 9, free champagne at midnight and free party favors in the bar.
The Thunder Bar is at 453 Main St. in Good Thunder.
The Venue at the Pond
Mankato’s IV Play will ring in the new year at The Venue at The Pond on Madison. Doors open at 7 p.m. with music 9:15 p.m.-12:15 a.m. The Pond is at 1850 Madison Ave. Snacks and hors d’oeuvres are provided throughout the night, champagne at midnight and prizes and giveaways.
Tickets available at Crooked Pint, Drummers Garden Center and Floral and at the door, if not sold out.
Victory Bowl and Wow!Zone
New Year’s is a time known for “bowls,” though they’re usually football games. If you’d like to bowl on your own, why not try one of Mankato’s bowling centers for their New Year’s Eve specials?
At Victory Bowl, rent a lane for a two-hour shift (3-5 p.m., 5:30-7:30 p.m., 8-10 p.m. or 10:30 p.m.-12:30 a.m.) for just $69.95, including shoe rental. Party favors and door prizes throughout each shift. Reservations required by calling (507) 387-7991.
At Wow!Zone, get your two-hour shift on a lane for $70, including shoe rental. Sessions are offered at 5:30, 8 and 10:30 p.m. In addition, unlimited bowling, laser tag, mini golf and a $10 game card is available for $25/person 1-5 p.m. New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day.
Reservations are required by calling (507) 625-2695 or email info@wowzonefec.com.